Restoring Ls mesh wheels
03-27-2014, 02:03 PM
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Restoring Ls mesh wheels
Sup guys I am taking on another project. I recently traded for some LS mesh wheels that are not in the best condition. They have plasti dip and paint on them. I need to know what paint thinner and polish I can use to make them look semi-fresh. I don't want to hurt the alloy but I want to make then shiny. I just need to know what chemicals are safe to use. Any help is greatly appreciated. Also of anybody has center caps let me know https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater link is for further reference on the condition
03-27-2014, 05:34 PM
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Re: Restoring Ls mesh wheels
Strip them completely and polish them...
03-27-2014, 06:01 PM
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Re: Restoring Ls mesh wheels
What Polish can I use?
03-27-2014, 08:12 PM
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Re: Restoring Ls mesh wheels
You'll need to sand out any surface flaws or casting texture, etc., so you have a level base for the polishing. There are a lot of metal polishes you can use, you'll probably want something like a rouge compound or Tripoli on a cotton buffs on a die grinder to get in between the spokes. Polishing it the first time and keeping it maintained are two different things, so do a little research there also. Or, you could get them painted or powdercoated after polishing, they won't be as shiny but they'll be a lot easier to care for.
Or, you could get them powdercoated silver or chrome. Again, not as shiny but super easy.
If you want to remove the existing paint, use an aircraft paint stripper. There are some gentle ones on the market that are a lot safer than they used to be...
Or, you could get them powdercoated silver or chrome. Again, not as shiny but super easy.
If you want to remove the existing paint, use an aircraft paint stripper. There are some gentle ones on the market that are a lot safer than they used to be...
Last edited by Fabrik8; 03-27-2014 at 08:19 PM.
03-27-2014, 08:53 PM
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Re: Restoring Ls mesh wheels
You'll need to sand out any surface flaws or casting texture, etc., so you have a level base for the polishing. There are a lot of metal polishes you can use, you'll probably want something like a rouge compound or Tripoli on a cotton buffs on a die grinder to get in between the spokes. Polishing it the first time and keeping it maintained are two different things, so do a little research there also. Or, you could get them painted or powdercoated after polishing, they won't be as shiny but they'll be a lot easier to care for.
Or, you could get them powdercoated silver or chrome. Again, not as shiny but super easy.
If you want to remove the existing paint, use an aircraft paint stripper. There are some gentle ones on the market that are a lot safer than they used to be...
Or, you could get them powdercoated silver or chrome. Again, not as shiny but super easy.
If you want to remove the existing paint, use an aircraft paint stripper. There are some gentle ones on the market that are a lot safer than they used to be...
03-28-2014, 05:55 AM
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Re: Restoring Ls mesh wheels
If no one sanded them before painting, you should be fairly good good to go once the old paint is off, if you just want to trade them. Polishing is almost entirely labor, so its up to you whether you want to invest a lot of time polishing before trading them.
03-28-2014, 07:42 AM
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Re: Restoring Ls mesh wheels
I had a set that I used the aircraft paint remover, then I bead blasted them, acid etched, and alodine. After that I painted the inside Polyurethane Black and polish the lip. It took a couple of days but they came out great. I have a pic on my album.
03-28-2014, 08:59 AM
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Re: Restoring Ls mesh wheels
Did you use the chromium free Alodine, or did you use the regular stuff and ignore the chromium VI exposure and disposal? Hexavalent chromium isn't your friend.
Last edited by Fabrik8; 03-28-2014 at 09:02 AM.
03-28-2014, 02:02 PM
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Re: Restoring Ls mesh wheels
I did it at my work, I work in an aircraft facility and they have a Alodine bath.
03-28-2014, 06:34 PM
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Re: Restoring Ls mesh wheels
Well because of the weather I didint get a chance to do anything but I got some alloy rim cleaner from Walmart and a lot of the stuff wrong with it is mainly break dust and old dirt because previous owner did not keep up with the maintanamce on them. I still am looking to polish them but right now I am going to see how they come out when all the dirt and stuff is gone. If they are not too bad a shape I will probably get a basic polish from advanced or autozone. I saw some bottles there for rim polish but I kinda am thinking twice because they will be painted bronze in the future so I guess a minor cleanup and detail on the rims will do for now and just keep them clean. Just got to see how they are going to look once I deep clean them and strip the paint.